Update

As expected not much was new at my appointment with my rheumatologist......

My doctor did her usual exam and said that I had several areas of synovitis. Thanks to wikipedia, synovitis for those of you who don't know is "the medical term for inflammation of the synovial membrane. This membrane lines joints which possess cavities, known as synovial joints. The condition is usually painful, particularly when the joint is moved. The joint usually swells due to synovial fluid collection. Synovitis may occur in association with arthritis as well as lupus, gout, and other conditions. Synovitis is more commonly found in rheumatoid arthritis than in other forms of arthritis, and can thus serve as a distinguishing factor, although it can present to a lesser degree in osteoarthritis. Long term occurrence of synovitis can result in degeneration of the joint."

Thus she upped my steroid dose again so that I could feel "good" for Thanksgiving and get through the busy weekend. I will start tapering down again on Monday.

We also will be stopping my Humira injections and I will start Enbrel injections early next week and try that for three months......if we are able to stop supplementing steroids at that time with no symptoms, we will consider the Enbrel to be doing its job......if I can't go off of the steroids due to increased swelling and pain then I have to move to the next category of treatment options which are infusions.

The doc is treating me for rheumatoid arthritis secondary to the vasculitis.

I'm praying that this new injection will work as the infusions are really strong and powerful....